Remote control system



E. M. ALLEN REMQTE CONTROL SYSTEM Oct. 31, 1944.

Fi1`ed Dlec. 4, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet l HIS ATTORNEY MS @L 12ml? N /T @k ww QS, R 11| www m 1 w N QN NNN# l f IMQK N NN lfm@ w. N @97 S uw@ @EN @N 5v@ NN wm am w Nw )Sb 11. 1J Qw m @NYT Q www .DHI NN NAN M v E Y@ Y NQ E@ O ct. 31, 1944. E. M. ALLEN REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Dec. 4, `1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 31, 1944.

E. M. ALLEN REMOTE CONTROL- SYSTEM A3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Filed Dec. .`4, 1942 www @ESN w N Patented Oct. 31, 1944 REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM Earl M. Allen, Swissvale, Pa., assignor to The Union Switch & Signal Company, Swissvale, Pa., a 'corporation of Pennsylvania Application December 4, 1942, serial No. 467,839

v (ci. 246-3) 14 Claims.

My invention relates to remote control systems, and more particularly to apparatus for controlling railway traic governing devices from an olce and for indicating the 4condition of such devices at the cnice.

When a. railway traffic controlling device is controlled from a remote office and the condition of such device is indicated at the office, it is in the interest of economy and simplicity if the control current and the indication current are transmitted by a single two-wire line circuit.

Accordingly, a feature of my invention is the provision oi novel and improved rapparatus for the c-ontrol and the indication of a railway trafc governing device by the use of a single two-wire line circuit.

Another feature of my invention is the provision of novel control apparatus for railway traffic governing devices wherewith control storage lockout is effected. That is, any movement of a control lever prior to the time the controlled device can respond to such lever movement results in no operation of the device after the traic condition has been removed that caused the lockout at the time the lever was moved.

Another feature of my invention is the pro- Vision of novel means in a remote rcontrol system of the type here involved wherewith a special indication is displayed if a control lever is moved to a position in disagreement with the controlled device when such controlled device' is electrically locked.

Still another feature of my invention is the provision of control apparatus incorporating novel stick non-stick signal control means and novel means for checking locking relays into the signal control circuit.

Other features, advantages and objects of my invention will appear as the specificationprogresses.

The above features and advantages embodying my invention are accomplished by utilizing a -characteristic of a polarized relay, namely, that the polar armature is operated before the neutral armature is picked up. A source of control current at the oiiice and a source of indication current at the station are provided, the control curpolarized relay is connected to the line circuit through its own back neutral contact for energzation of the relay and operation of its polar armature by current supplied to the circuit by the source at the far end of the circuit, such movement of the polar` armature being effected before the neutral armature picks up. The trafc governing device and the indication means are governed through polar contacts of the associatedrelay. Each polarized relay governs shunt paths around the back neutral contact of the respective relay, so that the relay is subsequently energized to pick up its neutral armature. A time element device is provided at the oilice to limit to a predetermined short interval the period during which control current can be supplied to the circuit, such time element device being set into action by an initial movement of a control lever. In this way the characteristic of shifting the polar armature before the neutral armature is picked up of a polarized relay of the usual construction is utilized in a circuit network through which a switch or a signal is controlled and indicated through a two-wire line circuit.

I shall describe two forms of apparatus embodying my invention, and shall then point, out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figs. l and 2 when taken together with Fig. 1 placed at the left, are diagrammatic views showing one form of apparatus embodying my invention when used to govern a railway switch and its related signals. Fig. 1 disclosesv the ofce apparatus and Fig. 2 discloses the station apparatus. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing another form of ofce apparatus that may be used with the station apparatus of Fig. 2, and which oice apparatus also embodiesmy invention.

It is to be understood that my invention is not limited to use with a single switch and its related signals and this one use serves as 'an illustration of the invention. It is to be observed that the invention has peculiar adaptability to use with an unbalanced switch and signal layout.

In the different views like reference characters are usedl to designate similar parts.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a diagram at the upper right-hand portion of Fig. 2 designates a stretch of railway track that includes a track switch ISW having signals 2RA, ZRC, 2LA and 2LB associated therewith in the usual arrangement. This stretch of track is formed by the usual insulated rail joints with a detector track section IT and two approach sections 2LT and ZRT. Each track section is provided with a track circuit including a track relay designated R plus a prex corresponding to the section. The track switch IKSW is power' operated by a switch machine SM. The type of switch machine is immaterial and an electro-pneumatic type having a normal magnet NM, a reverse magnet RM and a lock magnet LM is shown. It is suiiicient for the present application to point out that switch machine SM is operatively connected to the switch through a suitable drive mechanism and is pressure operated in response to energization of its magnets, the arrangement being such that when normal magnet NM and lock magnet LM are simultaneously energized the switch is moved to its normal position, and when the reverse magnet RM and lock magnet LM are simultaneously energized the switch is moved to its reverse position. The signals may be of any standard form and are shown conventionally and it is suilicient to point out that each signal is operable to display either a proceed or a stop indication according as a rst or a second operating circuit, to be later described, is closed.

The switch machine and signals associated with switch ISW are governed in part by traiiic conditions as reected by the track relays, and in part by a remote control system embodying my` invention, and which system includes appatact members I3, I4 and I5, axial movement of the lever to its N position actuates contacts I6 to 20, inclusive, and movement of the lever to its R position actuates contacts 2l to 25, inclusive. Lever 2 is of a similar construction except that it is provided with a normal mid position CN as well as a left-hand position LH and a right-hand position RH.

An office time element device in the form of a slow acting relay IPB is governed by lever I,

relay IPB being energized by an obvious circuit ratus located partly at anofce OF and partly at a station ST. r

I shall describe brieiiy the apparatus for the remote control system and then describe the control and indication of the switch and signals by the remote control apparatus and the track relays.

The office OF and station ST are provided with suitable sources of current, a battery OB being located at the ofce, and a battery SB being located at the station. These batteries are preferably of the so-called split battery type and battery SB has a positive terminal BI, a nega-l tive terminal NI and a mid terminal C; and battery OB is provided with a positive terminal B2, a negative terminal N2 and a mid terminal C.

Before proceeding further with the description, it is to be noted that many contact fingers of the various relays to be referred to during the description are shown remote from the winding of the relay. Ineach such case the contact nlger is identified by the reference character of the relay and is illustrated in the position corresponding to the normal condition of the relay.

The office apparatus includes two manually operable control levers I and 2, the lever I` being a switch lever for controlling switch ISW, and

lever 2 being a signal lever for controlling the signals at the switch. These levers may take different forms and are shown in Fig; l as being of the so-called push-turn-release type covered by Letters Patent of the United States No. 2,289,736, granted July 14, 1942, to C. S. Snavely et al., for Circuit controllers, and to which patent reference is made for a full understanding of the construction of such control levers. In the present application it is suiicient to describe these levers only brieiiy. Referring to lever I, its handle I Il is biasedby a spring II toa raised position as viewed in the drawing and is manually depressed a predetermined distance against the bias of spring I I. pressed it can be axially rotated to a normal position N or to a reverse position R. When the handle IIJ is released at either the N or R position, the handle is forced outward by the force Y of spring II. Depressing handle IIJ actuates con- When handle I0 is de-` is disagreement between relay in-cluding contact I3 closed when handle II! of lever I is depressed. Relay IPB is provided with a slow release period by a resistor 2l' connected across the relay winding, and consequently when lever handle I0 is depressed, rotated and then released, the relay IPB is rst energized and picked up and then is deenergized to be released at the end of a predetermined slow release period. A polarized indication relay IWK, a slow release repeater indication relay IWKP, and indicator lamps NL, RL and LL are also associated with lever I in a manner to appear when the operation of the apparatus is described. Similarly, a slow release relay 2PB, a polarized indication relay 2I-lK and indicator lamps LHL, RHL and SL are associated with lever 2.

The apparatus at the station ST includes a polarized switch controlling relay IWC and a polarized signal controlling relay ZHC, and each of which relays is controlled by the office apparatus through a respective line circuit to be explained hereinafter. A slow release repeater relay IWCP and a polarized switch controlled relay IW'P are associated with relay IWC, relay IWCP being energized by an obvious circuit including front contact 28 of relay IWC, and relay IWP being governed jointly by relay IWC and a pole changer PC operatively connected to switch ISW. When relay IWC is energized at normal polarity to close its normal polar contact 29, and switch ISW occupies its normal position, causing contact members 30 and 3| of pole changer PC to occupy the position illustrated by solid lines in Fig. 2, relay IWP is energized at normal polarity by a circuit readily understood by an inspection of Fig. 2; but when relay IWC is energized at reverse polarity tov close reverse polar contact 32 and the switch occupies its reverse position causing contact members 30 and `3I to be set at the position illustrated by dotted lines, relay IWP is energized at reverse polarity. In other words,'when there is agreement between the switch controlling relay IWC and the switch I SW as to their positions, switch controlled relay IWP is energized at a tpolarity corresponding to the position of the switch, and when there IWC and the switch, the relay `IWP is deenergzed. Relays IWC and IWP govern the operation of switch machine SM, the arrangement being such that when relay IWC is energized at normal polarity closing normal polar contact 33, and relay IWP is released-closing back contact 34, magnets NM and LM are simultaneously energized by obvious l circuits to operate switch machine SM as required to move the switch to its normal position, Q

and when relay IWC is energized at reverse polarity closing reverse polar contact 35 and relay IWP is released closing back contact 34, magnets RM and LM are simultaneously energized and the switch machine is operated as required to move the switch to its reverse position.

The signal controlling relay ZHC governs four signal control relays, there being a signal. con'- trol relay for each signal.A These signal control relays are designated I-I plus a prefix corresponding to the signal, and each such relay governs the operating circuits for the respective signal. For example, when relay ZRAH is deenergized closing back -contact 36 an operating circuit is formed for causing signal 2BA to display a 'stop indication, and when relayZRAI-I is energized to close front contact 31 an operating circuit is closed for causing signal ZRA to displa'ya proceed indication. Each ofl the other signal con- .trol relays govern similar operating circuits.

The station apparatus `also includes a traflic controlled circuit network which cooperates with the signal controlling relay 2I-IC in governing the signals, and which circuit network would be of standard practice and will be pointed out more fully when the operation of the apparatus is described. Furthermore, the station apparatus includes two locking relays ZRAS and 2LAS which are associated with trafiic over switch ISW, and which locking relays arev governed by a traiiic locking circuit network. Such traffic locking circuit network would also be of standard practiceexc'ept as it is modified to include contacts of the signal controlling relay 2li-IC and a brief description of such network will be suicient for a full understanding of my invention. Locking relays 2RAS and ZLAS are each normally energized by a stick circuit. When relay ZHC is operated to its right-hand and reverse position the stick circuit for relay ZRS extends from terminal BI of the station battery through back contactBZ and reverse polar Contact 83 of relay 2HC, a contact alligoverned by traic conditions, front contact 95 of relay ZRAS and wind- `ing of that relay to terminal C of the station battery; and the stick circuit for locking relay 2LAS extends from terminal BI through reverse polar contact 86 of relay 2HC, a contact 81 controlled by traii'lc conditions, front contact 88 of relay 2LAS and winding of that relay to terminal C. At such time as the signal controlling relay 2HC is operated to its left-hand and normal position the stick circuit for relay LRAS is completed through normal polar contact 89 of relay 2HC, and the stick circuit for relay ZLAS is completed through back contact 82 and normal polar contact 9|) of relay 2I-IC. A shunt path v lincluding either a contact 9I of the usual time element relay not shown, or back conta-ct II2 of track relay I'I'R, serves to shunt front contact 85 and provides relay BRAS with a pick-up circuit. Similarly, a shunt path including either Y contact 92 governed by a time element relay orA back contact I I9 of track relay I'IRshunts contact 88 and provides relay ZLAS with a pick-up circuit.

A special lock relay ILR is provided at the I Teo ' `WI and a common return line wire CC extends from the office to the station for transmitting control current from the office to the station to energize the switch controlling relay IWC at a polarity corresponding to the position ofswitch lever I and for` the return transmission of indication current for controlling indication relay IWK at a polarity corresponding to the position of the switch ISW. In like manner, a twowire line circuit including a line wire ZI-I and the common return wire CC is provided for transmission of control current from the oice to the station for energizing the signal `controlling relay 2I-IC at a polarity corresponding to the position of lever 2 and for the return transmission of indication current for energizing indicationv relay ZHK at a polarity corresponding to the condition of the signals.' The common return wire CC is connected tothe mid terminal C of each of the batteries OB and SB.

It should be pointed out that indication polarized relays IWK and 2I-IK,` and control polarized relays IWC and ZI-IC are preferably of the usual andvwell-known construction and each is characterized by its polar armature being operated before the neutral armature is picked up.

In describing the operation of the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2, I shall assume the apparatus occupies the position shonw in the drawings. Under this condition indication current is supplied to the line circuitlIW-CC for indicating the normal position of switch ISW, current flowing from terminal C of battery SB through common line wire CC, wire 4I, contact I'I of lever I, normal polar contact 42 of relay IWK, winding of relay IWK, back contact 43 of relay IPB, line wire IW`, front contact 44 of lock relay ILR, windingl of relay IWC, front contact-I5 of relay IWC, and front 4contact 46 and normal polar contactlII of relay IWP to terminal NI of battery SB. It is to be observed that this indication current is controlled as to its polarity by the position of the switch controlled relay` IWP.

f As an. aid in the description I shall assume that `control current and indication current that flows in a line circuit in what may be taken as a clockwise direction as viewed in the drawings is of normal polarity and current flowing in a line circuit in a counterclockwise direction is of reverse polarity. Thus this indication current is of normal polarity corresponding to the normal position of the switch, and relays IWC and IWK are energized at normal polarity. With relay IWK energized at normal polarity a local officel circuit for indication lamp'NL to indicate the normal positionof the switch ISW is closed; this oice' circuit extending from terminal B2 of battery GB through lever contact I4, back contact I8 of relay IWKP, front contact G9 of relay IWK, lamp NL, lever Contact I8 and normal polar contact '590i relay IWK` to terminal C of battery OB.l

Under the normal condition of the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2, the signal lever 2 occupies its mid position CN at which position the line circuit 2H--CC` is open and the associated relays ZHC and ZHK are deenergized with the result that the signals( are set to stop and the indication lamp SL is illuminated by an obvious circuit including back contact 5I of relay ZHK to indicate the stop position of the signals. l

I shall next assume that the switch ISW is to be moved to its reverse rposition and to that end the switch lever Iv is moved from its N to its R position. In making such a movement of the lever I its handle II! is first depressed closing contact I3 and relay IPB is energized.l Handle I Il is then rotated to the R position and released, the release of the handle opening Contact I3 and relay IPB is deenergized, relay IPB being released at the end of its slow release period subsequent -to such movement of the lever. The picking up of relay IPB to open back contact 43 opens theline circuit IW-CC and both polarized relays IWK and IWC are deenergized and each immediately releases its respective neutral armature. The release of relay IWK to open front contact 49 and close back contact 5I, extinguishes lamp NL and switches the connection of relay rIWK with respect to the line circuit, The release of relay IWC deenergizes its repeater relay IWCP and switches the connection of relay IWC with'respect to the line circuit. During the slow release period of the olce relay IPB, control current is supplied from the ofce battery to the line circuit IWCC, current owing in a counterclockwise direction in the circuit from `terminal C of battery OB through line wire CC, wire 52, front contact 53 of relay IWP, front contact 54 of relay. IWCP, back contact 55 of relay IWC, winding of relay IWC, front contact 44 of relay ILR., line wire IW, front cotact 56 of relay IPB, lever contact I5, lever contact 2l and resistance 51 to terminal N2 of battery OB. This control vcurrent energizes relay IWC at reverse polarity, and its polar armature is operated to` close reverse polar contacts 32 and 35, such movement of thepolar armature being effected before the neutral armature of the relay is moved to open back contact 55. The opening of normal polar contact 29 of relay IWC deenergizes relay IWP vand that relay is immediately released to close back contacts 34 and 58. With back contact 34 of relay IWP and reverse polar contact 35 of relay IWC closed, the switch machine is set into operation to reverse ythe switch. ISW in the manner previously explained. The closing of backcontact 58 of relay IWP completes a shunt path for the line circuit around back neutral contact 55 of relay IWC and. front contact 54 of repeater relay IWCP. This shunt path assures that relay IWC is energized to firmly position its polar armature and if the control current continues for a suicient interval relay IWC is energized to pick up its neutral armature and reenergize 'repeater relay IWCP. The oftlce battery thus has furnished a control current to operate relay IWC and in turn control the switch.

At the end of the slow release period of oice relay IPB the supply of control current ceases due to the opening of front contact 55 of relay IPB. This deenergizes station relay IWC and it immediately releases its neutral armature if that armature has been picked up, but the polar armature remains in the position to which it was last moved. With relay IWC released the repeater relay IWCP is deenergized and releases at the end of its slow release period. Preferably the slow release period of oice relay IPB is such that the relay IPB is released and the line circuit condi tioned to transmit an indication current prior to the completion of the operation of the switch machine SM. With relay IWCP released and the movement of the switch completed to cause relay IWP to be energized at reverse polarity, a circuit connection is completed at the station through which indication current is supplied to the line circuit. This indication current ows from terminal BI of station battery SB through reverse polar contact 59 and front contact 46 of relay IWP, back contact 60 of relay IWCP. winding of relay IWC, front contact 44 of relay ILR, line wire IW, back contact 43 of relay IPB, back contact 6| of relay IWK, winding of repeater relay IWK? and line wire CC to terminal C of battery SB. This indication current flows through the line circuity reverse polar contacts closed and to pick up its neutral armature. Repeater relay IWCP is now energized and picked up to open back contact 50, but a shunt path around back contact 60 is formed at front contact 45 of relay IWC and the station connection to the line circuit is not disturbed. At the oiiice, the relay IWKP is picked up closing front contact 62 which connects indicationrelay I WK to the line circuit in multiple with relay Il/VKP, and consequently relay IWK is energized by the indication current of reverse polarity. This causes the polar armature of relay IWK to be operated to its reverse position closing polar contacts 53 and 64, these polar contacts being closed before the neutral armature of relay IWK is picked up to open back contact 6I in the connection of relay IWKP. Hence, before relay IWKP is deenergized to open front contact 62 in the connection of relay IWK to the line circuit, a stick circuit for relay IWK is formed through reverse polar contact 53 and lever contact 22. It follows that indication relay iWK and switch controlling relay IWC are energized in series at reverse polarity by the indication current supplied to the line circuit. Reverse indication lamp RL is now illuminated to indicate the reverse in position of switch ISW, current being supplied to lamp RL from terminal B2 through lever contact I4, back contact 48 of relay IWKP, front contact 49 of relay IWK, lamp RL, reverse lever contact 23 and reverse polar contact 64 of relay IWK to terminal C.

Let it now be assumed that a train is to move to thesiding over switch ISW reversed and that the operator controls signal 2LB to its proceed indication in a manner to appear hereinafter to permit such movement, the lock relay ILR is deenergized to open front contactl 44 as will later appear when such control of signal 2LB is effected and the line circuit IW-CC is opened causing both relays IWK and IWC to be deenergized. The release of relay IWC is followed, in due time, by the release of its repeater relay IWCP. The release of relay IWK causes lamp RL to be extinguished and lamp LL to be illuminated, current flowing from terminal B2 through lever Contact I4, back contact 48 of relay I WKP, backcontact 65 of relay IWK, lamp LL, back contact 66 of relay IWK, lever contact 25 and reverse polar contact 54 to terminal. C. The illumination of lamp LL indicates that the switch ISW is electrically locked by a train movement to the siding. Let it next be assumed for the sake of illustration that while the train is advancing to the siding, the operator moves lever I backto its normal position N in an attempt to store a normal switch control lamp LL is extinguished by such operation of the rlever due to the opening of lever contact 25. Since lock relay ILR is now deenergized to open the line circuit and remains deenergized as long as section IT is occupied due to the shunting of track relay ITB, to open front contact 38, no control current is furnished to the line circuit because of this movement of the switch lever to its N position. When this train has moved into the siding to vacate section IT, the lock relay ILR is reenergized and indication current is supplied from battery SB to the line circuit over the circuit previously traced, with the result that relay IWKP is energized and picked up to connect the indication relay IWK to the line circuit. The stick circuit for relay IWK through polar contact 63 is open because lever contact 22 is open with lever4 I set at its normal position N. When repeater relay IWKP is deenergized due to the opening of back contact 8| of relay IWK and relay IWKP in turn opens the circuit for relay IWK, a pumping action of these two relays occurs. Since relay IWKP is slow to release, there is a period when both relays are picked up to form a circuit from terminal B2 through contact Ifl, front contact 61 of relay IWKP, lamp LL, front contact 68 of relay IWK, lever contact I9 and reverse polar contact 64% of relay IWK to terminal C. Hence this pumping action of the oice relays causes lamp LL to be blinked to indicate this attempt of a storage of a switch control. Consequently a "lockout against a storage of a switch control is effected and lamp LL is blinked as an indication of the attempt at such storage of a switch control,

Assume next that the train moves to the siding and lock relay ILR is reenergized but lever I has not been moved and still is at its R position, indication current is supplied from battery SB to the line circuit and flows through the Winding of'relays IWK and IWKPin multiple since the stick circuit connection for relay IWK is now closed. This picks up relay IWK and with relay IWK picked up, the lamp RL is again illuminated to indicate the reverse position of the switch. It is to be noted that normally both polarized relays IWC and IWK are picked up to provide the normal position indication of switch ISW, both relays are released in response to movement of lever I for relay IWC to close its back contact 55 and condition the station circuit network for control of switch ISW and for relay IWK to close its back contact 6| and prepare the cnice network to subsequently receive indicatio-n current, relay IWC is energized thro-ugh its back contact 52 by the control current to operate its polar armature to close the switch operating circuit, relay -IWC is energized,`

to pick up its neutral armature through a shunt path including back contact 58 of relay IWP, the indication current iirst energizes relay IWC and repeater relay IWKP and then relay IWK to operate the polar armature of relay IWK to prepare the indication lamp circuit andl complete a shunt path through lever contact 22 to retain relay IWK picked up and thereby coinplete the lamp circuit at its front contact 69.

Operation of the apparatus to move the s witch back to its normal position in response to a movement of lever I to its N position is similar to the operation of the apparatus to move'the switch to its reverse position, and the operation of the apparatus for movement of the switch to its normal position will readily, be understood by an inspection of the drawings when taken in connection with the description of the operation of the apparatus to move the switch to the reverse position.

I shall next describe the operation of the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2 in the control of the signals, and I shall rst assume thatv the operator wishes to clear signal 2LB, the 'switch ISW hav-l ing been reversed as previously described. `The signal lever 2 is operated by iirst depressing its handle, rotating it to its LH position and then releasing the handle. The depressing of the4 handle of lever 2 completes a circuit from terminal B2 through back contact 10 of indication relay 2HK, lever contact 69, front contact 1| of relay IWK, winding of relay 2PB and terminal N2, and slow acting relay ZPB is energized. The release of the handle of lever 2. opens contact 69 and deenergizes relay 2PB- and the relay is reflu jleased at the end-of a predetermined slow release period as governed by resistor 12 connected across vthefrelay. During the slow release period of re- -lay 2PB, control current is .furnished to the line circuit ZH-CC frombattery OB, the circuit being completed from terminal B2 through resistor 13, lever contacts 14 and 15, front contact 16 of relay ZPB, line wire 2H, winding of relay ZHC, back contacts 11, 18, 19 kand 80 of signal control vrelay '2l-IC shifts the stick circuit oi locking relay ZLAS to the connection including back contact 82 and normal polar contact 90er relay 2HC, and consequently when relay`2I-IC picks upits neu- .tral armature the stick circuit of relay"2LAS is opened at back contact 82 andthe -.relay` is de- .energized Locking relay ZRAS .is retained energized with relay 2HC picked up dueto the stick circuit of relay ZRAS being shifted to the .con-

nection including normal polar contact 89 of relay 2HC. The release of locking relay 2LAS to open front contact 39 deenergizes lock relay ILR,

.and with relay ZHC picked up at normal polarity and lock relay ILR released, the traic controlled circuit network for signal control. relayv ZLBH is' completed, and current flows from terminal BI through front contact 93 of relay ZRAS, normal polar Contact 94 and front Contact 95 of relay ZHC, front contact 96 of relay IWP, back contact 91 of relay ILR, front contact 98 of relay ITR, front contact 99 and normal polar contact |00 of relay 2HC,yreverse polar contact IIlI of relay IWP, winding of relay 2LBH and front contact |02 of relay 2HC to terminal NI. Relay ZLBH is now picked up to close front contact |03 and complete an operating circuit by which signal ZLB is operated to a proceed indication. The picking up of relay ZLBH to openv back contact 'I8 and close front contact |04 transfers the line circuit 2H-CC toa condition to receive indication current from battery SB at the station. During this operation of the relays at the station the office relay ZPB is released to disconnect the oiiice battery OB andv terminatethejsupply of control current. Indication current islnow supplledirom terminal C of batteryY SB through line wire CC, back contact |06 of relay ZHK, winding of relay ZHK, back contact |05 of relay ZPB, line wire 2H, winding of relay 2HC, back contact 11 of relay 2LAII and front contact |04' of relay ZLBH to terminal'NI. This indication current is of normal polarity and energizes relaygZHK and 2HC in series, relay ZHK operating its polar armature to the left to close normal polarcontact |01, such movement of the polar armatures being effected before back neutral contactl of the relay is opened. The closing of polar contact I 81 completes a Stick circuit around back contact |06 through lever contact |08, and consequently indication relay ZHK is energized to pick up its neutral armature. With relay 2HK picked up lamp LHL is furnished currentover an cnice circuit including front contact IIA and.

to be deenergized to close back contacts 55 and 66 and lamp LL associated with lever I is illuminated to indicate the electric locking against movement of the switch. The train advancing past signal ZLB to enter section IT'shunts track relay ITR to open front contact 98 of track relay ITR causing relay ZLBH to be deenergized and released, with the result that signal ZLB is'operated to its stop position. With relay ZLBH thus released, the line circuit 2H-CC is opened `at front contact |04 and relays ZHK and ZHC are deenergized. The release yof relay ZHK extinguishes lamp LHL and causes stop lamp SL to be again illuminated.- The release of relay ZHC to close back contact 82 causes locking relay ZLAS to be energized over its pick-up circuit completed at back contact II of track relay ITR. Hence when the train vacates section IT and track relay ITR is picked up to close front contact 38,

`the lock relay ILR is energized and picked up to reclose the line circuit IW-CC, and the apparatus associated ywith that circuit is restored to its normal conditionv where the lamp RL is illuminated.

I shall next assume that the train advances past signal 2LB in the proceed position and the operator has Vthe stick-non-stick ,button SB at the oice open'to provide thepso-called stick control of the signal. Should the operator attempt .to clear signal ZLB for a second train before the first train vacates section IT, and depresses the handle of lever 2 to cause the energizing of relay ZPB, such operation of lever 2 is ineiiective to energize relay ZPB because relay IWK is now released to open front contact operator must operate lever 2 after the rst train has vacated section IT in order 'to clear signal ZLB for a following train if the button SB is open.

Non-'stick control of the signal is provided by button SB being closed. Under this condition,

and assuming that signal ZLB has been cleared for a train to pass to the siding, the relay ZPB is reenergized as soon as the rst train enters section IT to cause signal ZLB to be set to stop, relay ZPB receiving current through back contact '|Il of relay ZHK, contact of button SB and back contact of a relay ITP, not shown, but included in the remote control in the usual manner to indicate occupancy of track sectiony IT. With relay ZPB pickedup, the relay kZHC is reenergized so that when the first train vacates section IT and track relay ITR is picked up to close front contact 98 in the network the signal control relay ZLBH is reenergized at once to again clear signal ZLB. Relay ITPwould be picked up with the first train vacating section ITto deenergize relay ZPB and consequently relay ZI-IK would bel connected to the line circuit as soon as relay ZPB releases to close back contact |05 and relay ZHK would be energized by the indication current, 'the same as previously described' and lamp LHL would be illuminated to again indicate the clear pos1t1on of signal 2LB. Non-stick control is also provided through lever contact I I5 and back contact I I6 of a repeater relal ZLTP, not shown, of the remote control system to repeat the condition of track relay ILTR, or through lever contact I I3 and back contact |23 of a repeater relay 2RTP, not shown, for track relay ZRTR.

The operation of the apparatus for controlling any of the other signals is similar to that effected to control signal ZLB, and the operation will be apparent by an inspection of the drawings taken in connection with the description of the apparatus for controlling signal ZLB.

Hence the .tact |25.

Referring to Fig. 3, the o'ce OF is provided with apparatus which is the same as that in Fig. l, except levers IA and ZA are of the rotary type, slow release relay |PB associated with the switch lever is replaced by two slow release relays INLP and IRLP, and the circuits are modied. The contacts operated by levers IA and 2A are shown conventionally in the usual manner by circles having letters placed therein to indicate the position at which the contactsk are closed. The oice apparatus of Fig. 3 would be used with the station apparatus of Fig. 2, the line wires |W, 2H and CC of Fig. 3 joining corresponding line wires in Fig. 2 to complete the respective line circuits.

It is believed that the apparatus of Fig. 3 can best be understood by a description of the operation of this apparatus in connection with the apparatus of Fig. 2.

The apparatus of Fig. 3 is shown occupying the position corresponding to the normal position of switch ISW and the stop position of the signals. Under this condition of the apparatus of Fig. 3, relay INLP is energized by an obvious circuit including lever contact |25. Also indication current of normal polarity is supplied from the station battery to the line circuit IW-CC to energize indication relay IWK at the omce in series with the switch controlling relay IWC at the station, the same as pointed out in connection with Figs. l and 2, the ofice connection in Fig. 3 being completed from line wire CC through lever contact H9, normal polar contact ||8 of relay IWK, winding of relay IWK and either front contact I-Il of relay IWK or front contact |26 of relay INLP and back contact |21 of relay RLP to line wire IW. With relay IWK thus energized at normal polarity, the lamp NL is illuminated to indicate the normal position of the switch, current being supplied to lamp NL through back contact 48 of relay IWKP, normal polar Contact 50 of relay IWK and lever contact IZB.

The slow release relay ZPB associated with signal lever 2A is normally energized by a circuit including lever contact IZI and back contact |22 of indication relay ZHK, while lamp SL indicating the stop position of the signals is illuminated by a circuit including back contact 5| of the indication relay ZHK.

To reverse the switch, the operator would move the lever IA to its R position. This opens the line circuit IW-CC at lever contact I|9 to deenergize relays WK and IWC, and these relays immediately release. At the oflice three things now happen: (a) relay IWKP is energized through back contact |33 of relay IWK, lever contact |34 and normal polar contact |35 of relay lWK, and on picking uprelay |WKP completes a stick circuit for itself through its own front con'- tact I 4| and back contact |33 ofv relay IWK, (b) lamp NL is extinguished due to the opening of lever contact'IZ, and (c). relay IRLP is energized and relay INLP is deenergized due to the closing of lever contact |29 and the opening of lever con- Since relay INLP is slow to release there is a period during which'both of these latter "relays are picked up, and during this period con- |3| of relays INLP and IRLP, respectively, and lever contact |32 to terminal N2 of battery O-B. This control current energizes relay IWC at rcverse polarity causing its polar armatureto be moved to its reverse position before back contact 55 is opened. Relay IWP and the switch machine SM are now operated to bring about a reverse position of the switch andthe reenergization of relay IWP at reverse polarity in the same manner as described in connection with Figs. l and 2. Oiiice relay INLP releases atthe end of its slow release period during the operation of the station. apparatus and discontinuos the supply of control current. The energizing of relay IWP at reverse polarity causes indication current to be supplied at the line circuit from terminal BI of battery SB through reverse polar contact 59 of relay IWP, front contact 46 of relay IWP, back contact 69 oi relay IWCP, winding of relay IWC, front contact 44, line wire IW, front contact I3? of relay IRLP, back contact |38 of relay INLP, winding of relay IWK, front contact |39 of relay IWKP and line wire CC back to terminal C of the station battery SB. This indication current energizes both relays IWC and IWK at reverse polarity. Relay IWKP is next deenergized duc to the opening of back contact |33 of relay IWK and the lamp RL becomes illuminated by current supplied through back contact 48 of relay IWKP,

v reverse polar contact |40 of relay IWK and lever contact |45.

Let it next be assumed that signal 2LB` is cleared in a manner to shortly appear to permit,

a train to move to the siding, relay ILR is released to open front contact 44 due to the release of locking relay ZLAS in the clearing of signal ZLB and both relays IWC and IWK are deenergized due to theopening of the line circuit. Since relay IWKP is now released closing back contact 48, the release of relay IWK to close back contact |44 completes a circuit for. lamp LL and lthat lamp is illuminated to indicate the electric locking condition.

For the sake of illustration, I shall next consider that the operator moves lever |A back to its N position while the electric locking is in eect in an attempt to store a switch control. The movement of lever |A to its N position causes relay I WKP to be energized through back contact the siding, relay ILR is picked up to close the lineY circuit and indication current is again supplied to f energize relays IWC and I WK, the connection of the line circuit through the office being completed at back contact |21 of relay. IRLP, front contact |26 of relay INLP, winding of relay IWK and front contact |39 of relay IWKP. The picking up of relay IWK to open back contact |33 deenergizes relay IWKP and that relay releases to open front contact |39 to open in turn the line -circuit. Relay IWK next releases because its stick circuit is open at lever contact |42. Thus, a pumping action of relays IWK and IWKP results, causing lamp LL to be blinked to indicate to the operator that the switch does not respond to the normal position of lever IA.

Assuming next that lever IA is left at its R 'position and the train vacates section IT as it passes to thesiding, the picking up of relay ILR to close the line circuit permits relays IWC and IWK to be reenergized by the indication current, and lamp RL to be again illuminated due to the picking up of relay IWK and subsequent release of relay IWKP.

Operation of the switch toits normal position in response to operation of lever |A to itsfnormal position will be readily understood by an inspection of Figs. 3 and 2 taken in connection with the description of the operation of the apparatus in moving the switch to its reverse position.

If the operator desires to clear signal ZLB after being of normal polarity. Station relay 2HC when energized at normal polarity brings about the energizing of signal control relay ZLBH and the subsequent clearing of the signal 2LB in the manner explained in connection with the apparatus of Figs. l and 2. lAlso indication current of normal polarity is supplied to the line circuit when relay ZLBl-l picks up closing iront contact |94. Indication relay 2HK is now included in the line circuit by the oiice connection including back' contact |52 of relay ZPB and back contact |49 of relay ZI-IK, and relay 2li-IK is energized to cause movement of its polar armature before back contact |49 becomes open. With relay ZHK operated to its normal position, it is'connected to the line circuit through its normal polar contact |50, and

lever contact |5I, and consequently it picks up its neutral armature in response to this indication current. Lamp LHL is next illuminated through the connection including front contact II4 and normal polar contact |09 of relay ZHK, the illumination of lamp LHL indicating the clear position of the signal. Control of any of the other signals by the oflice apparatus of Fig. 3 is similar to that described for the control of signal ZLB. Also the stick-non-stick control is effected by the button SB of Fig. 3 in substantially the same manner as described in connection with Fig. 1.

Although I have herein shown and described only two forms of remote control systems embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit andl scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In combination witha railway traic govl erning means operable to a rst and a second condition and a direct current relay having a polar armature provided with polar contacts and a neutral armature provided with neutral contacts to control said traflic governing means `either to its rst or second condition according as a normal or a reverse polar contact. is closed, a line circuit, a circuit connection including a back neutral contact of said relay to connect a winding of the relay to said line circuit, a time element device having a i'lrst and a second position, control means including a source of direct current and a pole changer and connected to said line circuit through a second position contact of the time element device for energizing said relay to operate its polar armature according to the position of said pole changer, indicating means operable to a iirst and a second condition and connected to the line circuit through a rst position contact of said time element device, another circuit connection including another contact closed when said neutral armature is released to connect said relay Winding to said line circuit, indication supply means including a pole changer operated by said trafic governing means and connected to said line circuit through said other circuit connection to energize said indicating means according to the condition of the traffic governing means and to energize said relay, and a front neutral contact of said relay to shunt said other circuit connection around said other contact. l

2. In combination with a railway trac governing device operable to a rst and a second position and a polarized direct current relay which controls said device to` its first or second position according as a normal polar contact or a reverse polar contact of the relay is closed, a line circuit, said relay having a winding connected to said circuit through a back neutral contact of the relay, a time element device biased to a first position and operable at times to a second position for a preselected interval, control means including a source of. direct current and a pole changer connected to said circuit by a second position contact of the time element device for energizing said relay through said back contact to operate the polar armature of the relay according to the position of said pole changer, an indicating device operable toa-first and second position and connected to said line circuit through a rst position contact of the time element device, a circuit path including a ,iirst contact gov# erned by said relay and closed when its neutral armature is released and a second contact governed by said traffic governing device to connect said relay winding to said line circuit, indication supply means including a pole changer operated by the trafiic governing device and connected to the line circuit through said circuit path for energizing said indicating device according to the position of the trailic governing device and for energizing said relay to pick up its neutral armature, and a front contact of said relay to shunt said circuit path around said rlrst contact.

3. In combination, arailway traflic governing device operable to a rst and a second position, a polarized direct current relay to control said device either to its rst or its second position according as a normal polar contact or a reverse polar contact of the relay is closed, aline circuit, means including a back neutral contact of said relay to connect a winding of the relay to said line circuit; control means including a source of direct current and a pole' changer to supply at times to said line circuit a control current for energizing said relay 4to operate its polar armature to a normal or a reverse, position according to the position of said pole changer, a circuit path including a contact controlled jointly bysaid relay and said traflic governing device and clc-sed by disagreement in the positions ofthe polar armature of the relay and the device to shunt said back neutral contact for energizing the relay to pick up its neutral armature.; and indication means including a source of direct cu`rrent, a pole `changer' operated by the traflic governing device and a front neutral vcontact of said relay to indicate the position of the traic governing device.

4. In combination, a railway trafc governing device, a polarized relay to control said device to a normal or a reverse position according as a normal or a reverse polar Contact of the relay is closed, a line circuit; remote control means including a current source, a control lever operable to a normal and a reverse position and a slow acting relay to supply control current of either normal or reverse polarity to said line circuit during a predetermined time interval; means governed by a movement of said lever to control said slow acting relay, said polarized relay connected to said circuit through its own back neutral contact for energizing the relay by such control current to operate its polar armature, a circuit path including a contact governed by said device and closed when the device is being operated between its positions to shunt said back neutral contact for energizing the relay by the control current to pick up its neutral armature; indication means including a current source, pole changing means governed by said device, a front neutral contact and said Winding of the polarized relay to supply to-said line circuit an indication current of normal or reverse polarity according to the position of said device, and remote indicating means connected to said circuit through a v contact of said slow acting relay to be energized according ,to the polarity of such indication current. Y

5. In combination. a railway traliic governing device, a polarized relay to control said device either'to a normal or a reverse position according as a normal or a reverse polar contact of said relay is closed; a line circuit; remote control means including a current source, a control lever operable to a normal and a reverse position and a front contact of a slow release relay to supply to said circuit control current of normal or reverse polarity according to the position of said lever; means governed by an initial movement of said level` to energize said slow release relay, said polarized relay connected to said circuit through itslown back neutral contact to energize the relay 'and cause saidl normal or reverse polar contact to be closed vbefore the relay is picked up, a circuit path including a rst Contact governed by said polarized relay and closed when the neutral armature of that relay is released and a second contact governed by said device and closed when the device is operated to the position corresponding to the position of the .polar armature of the polarized relay to connect said relay winding to said line circuity around said back neutral contact; indication means including in series a source of current, pole changing means governed by said ydevice and said circuit path to supply to said line circuitan indication current of normal or reverse polarity according to the position of said device, remote indicating means connected to said circuit through aback contact of said slow release relay selectively controlled by the polarity of such indication current, and a front neutral contact of said polarized relay to shunt said rst contact.

6. In combination, a railway traiiic governing device, a polarized relay to control said device either to a normal or a reverse position according as ar normal or av reverse polar contact of said relay is closed, a slow release relay energized through a front contact of said polarized relay,

a line circuit; remote control'means to supply .at timesxsaid circuit With control current of either normal or reverse polarity; said polarized relay connected to said circuit through its own back neutral contact in series with a front contact of'said slow release relay and a contact governed by said device and closed at the normal and reverse positions of the device for energizing the polarized relay by said control current; indication means including in series a current source, a pole changer governed by said device, a back contact of said slow release relay and a winding of the polarizedrelay to supply to said line circuit an indication current of normal or reverse polarity according to the position of thedevice; remote indicating means connected at times to said circuit to be energized by such' indication current, and a front neutral contact of said polarized relay to shunt said rst contact.

7. In a remote control system the combination comprising, an office and a station each provided with a source of direct current and joined by a line circuit, Voiiice control means and an cnice :indicating means each operable to a normal and a reverse condition, an oiiice slow acting relay governed by said control means to be actuated in response to an operation of the control means, a station traic governing means operable to anormal and a reverse condition, two polarized relays one at the ofiice and one at the station, means includng normal and reverse polar contacts and a front neutral contact of said oiiice polarized relay to govern said indicating means, means including normal and reverse polar contacts of said station relay to govern said trai-lic governing means, means including contacts of said control means and a contact of said slow acting relay to revers'bly connect said oflice current source to said line circuit to supply a control current of a polarity preselected by the condition of the control means during the slow acting period of the slow acting relay, said station polarized relay connected to said circuit through its own back neutral contact for energzing the relay to close either its normal or reverse polar contact in response to such control current, a circuit path including contacts governed by said station relay and said traiiic governing means to connect said station relay to said line circuit around said back neutral contact; means including a pole changer governed by the trafiic governing means and said circuit path to reversibly connect said station current vsource to said line` circuit to supply an indication current of a polarity preselected by the condition of the trafc governing means; means including aback neutral contact of said office polarized relay and a contact of said slow acting relay to connect the cnice polarized relay to said circuit to close either its normal or reverse polar contact in response to such indication current, and means including polar contacts of the oflice polarized relay and contacts of said control means to shunt said last mentoned back neutral contact to pick up the oice po-larized relay in response to such indication current.

8. In combination, indicating means operable to display either a first or a second indication, a polarized relay, means 7'ncluding a front neutral contact and polar contacts of said polarized relay to control said indicating means either to dising to a rst or a second condition of a device,

another relay connected to said line circuit through aback neutral contact of said polarized relay toV energizesaid other relay by such indication current, circuit means including a front contact of said other relay to connect said polarized relay to said line circuit to energize the polarized `relay and close its polar contact accordlng to the polarity of the indication current, and means including a normal and a reverse polar contact of said polarized relay to shunt said circuit means around said front contact of said other relay to energize the polarized relay to close its front contact and control the indicatingmeans according tothe polarity of the indication current.

9. In combination, traiiic governing means operable to a first and a second condition, a remote control means manually operable to a rst and a second condition, circuit means governed by said control means to operate said traiic governing means to its rst or second condition according as said control means is operated to its first or second condition, a line circuit, means governed by said traiiic governing-means connected to said line circuit to supply an indication current of either normal or reverse polarity according as the trafiic governing means :'s operated to its rst or second condition, a polarized relay connected to said line circuit through its own back neutral contact to energize the relay and close either its normal or reverse polar contacts according to the polarity of such indicaton current, circuit means'including polar contacts -of the relay and contacts governed by said control means to -connect said polarized relay to the line circuit around said back neutral contact to energize the relay and close its front neutral contact in response to the indicationcurrent indieating means operable'to display either a rst or a second indication, and other circuit means including a front neutralcontact and either a normal polar contact or a reverse polar contact of said polarized relay to control said indication means to indicate the condition of siad traflic governing means f 10. In a remote control system for railwavs, the combination comprising, a railway switch, a switch lever operable `to a normal and a reverse position to control said switclna circuit supplied with indication current of normal or reverse polarity according to the position of said switch, a polarized relay, a slow release relay connected to said circuit through a back neutral contact of said polarized relay, means including a front contact of said slow release relayto connect said polarized relay to said circuit, two circuit paths to connect said polarized relay to said circuit around said front contact, one of such circuit paths including in series a normal polarcontact of the polarized relay and a normal position contact of said lever and the other path including in series a reverse polar contact of the polarized'relay and a reverse position contact of the lever, said circuit paths to retain said polarized relay energized when there is agreement in position between said switch and lever, a normal and a reverse indication lamp controlled by normal and reverse polar contacts respectively of said polarized relay, another, indication lamp, andy circuit means including inl series a front contact of said slowA release relay and a front conhaving afpolar armature provided with polar contacts and a neutral amature provided with neutral contacts; an energizing-*circuit means including a source of direct current, a pole changer,

a backl neutral contact of said relay and a winding of the relay for energizing the relay to operate said polar armature to either a normal position or a reverse position Vaccording to the position of said pole changer; and a shunt circuit controlled by polar contacts of the relay to shunt said energizing circuit means around said back neutral contact for energizing the relay to pick up said neutral armature.

12. In combination, a detector track section provided 'with a left and a right signal for governing traic kthrough the section, va rst and a second locking relay, :a polarized relay, a iirst stick circuit including either a reverse polar. contact or a normal polar contact in vseries with a back contact of said'polarized relay to Venergize said rst locking re1ay,=a. second stickV circuit including either anormal polar contact or a reverse polar Contact inseries with a back contact of said polarized vrelay to energize said second locking relay, a iirst circuit network including a normal polar contact of said polarized relay and a contact closed when said first locking relay is released to clear :said left signal, ,a second circuit network including a reverse polar contact of said polarized relay and a contact closed when the second locking relay is released to clear said right signal, andfremotel'control means to energize said polarized relay at eithernormal or reverse polarity.

13. In combination, an office and a station each provided' with a. source of direct current and joined by a line circuit, said office provided with a control means'operable to arst anda second position and an indicating means adapted to display a first and a second indication;l said station having signaling'means operable to a rst, `a

second and a thirdconditiomytWo polarized'reenergize that relay .by said control current, station means including polar contacts of the station polarized relay to control the signaling means to either its second or third condition according as a normal or a reverse polar Contact of the station relay is closed, other station means including contacts of the signaling means .to connect the station current source to said line circuit through a winding of the station relay to supply an indication current of either normal or reverse polarity according as the signaling mea-ns occupies its second or third condition, said oice polarized relay connected to said line circuit through its own back contact and a back contact of said slow release relay to energize the cnice polarized relay by such indication current, means including polar contacts of the office polarized relay and contacts of said control means to shunt around said back contact of the oflce polarized relay to pick up that relay by said indication current, and means including a front contact and polar contacts of said office polarized relay to control said indicating means.

14. In a remote control system for railways, the combination comprising, a railway switch, a switch lever to control said switch, means controlled by said switch to supply a line circuit with indication current of normal or reverse polarity according to the position of the switch, a polarized relay, another relay, means including contacts of said lever and polar contacts of said polarized relay to energize said other relay when there is agreement in the positions of the lever and the polar armature of the polarized relay and abackneutral contact of the polarized relay is closed, means including a front contact of said other relay to connect said polarized relay to said line circuit to energize that relay by said indication current, other means including polar contacts ofthe polarized relay and contacts of said lever to connect 'the polarized relay to said line circuit to energize the polarized relay by the indication current when said other relay is released, a normal and a reverse lamp controlled by normal and reverse polar contacts respectively of the polarized relay to indicate a normal and a reverse vposition respectively of they switch when said lever and switch are in agreement, and another lamp controlled by a back contact of the polarized relay in series with a back contact of said other relay to provide a blinking light when said lever and switch are in disagreement.

. EARL M. ALLEN. 

